Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies

Julien Bouteloup is a serial entrepreneur, Ethereum developer and addict of crazy innovative ideas. He started his entrepreneurial career building websites and selling hardware technologies at age 14. Today he is involved with many projects including Stake Capital, Rekt, Curve Finance, and he advises several crypto companies.Julien strives to bring to light the dark side of crypto. As DeFi grows, so do the number of questionable projects and ethical concerns around certain practices. Julien joins us to talk about the excesses in the DeFi space and how the ecosystem should cope with them.Topics covered in this episode:Julien's background, how he found crypto, and the various projects Julien is working on todayThe Stake DAO - its purpose and visionJulien's views on the state of DeFi todayPrice arbitrage attacks in the ecosystem - FlashloansJulien's involvement in Curve Finance and how this platform is pushing towards more resilient DeFi protocolsJulien's thoughts on NFT and Decentralized MonopolyCurve's reaction to the launch of SaddleThe role of validators in the spaceEpisode links:Stake CapitalRekt NewsRekt Capital on TwitterDecentralised MonopolyJulien on TwitterSponsors:Stacker Ventures: A community-run protocol for initiating and managing pooled capital on the Ethereum blockchain. Structured as a DAO, it initiates decentralized funds, accelerates portfolio investments through an involved community, and provides checks and balances to fund management - https://epicenter.rocks/stackerThis episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Sunny Aggarwal. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/381

Namebase is a top-level domain (TLD) name registrar that operates on the Handshake blockchain. It creates an ecosystem of TLDs that may be bought and sold using an on-chain auction mechanism. It takes a different approach to other decentralized domain name systems as Namebase is compatible with the ICANN namespace, the organization governs domain names globally. Users may register TLDs that don't yet exist in the ICANN namespace, like .epicenter or .ethereum, for example, creating the opportunity for new niche domain registrars to emerge. Tieshun Roquerre, CEO of Namebase, joins us to discuss his vision for Namebase and his ambitious goal to decentralize ICANN.Topics covered in this episode:Tieshun's background and how he got into cryptoWhy and how Namebase was created and its relationship to HandshakeDomain name systems on blockchainThe history of ICANN and how it functionsDomain name censorship and security issues surrounding certificate authoritiesHow are they preparing for the inevitable fork between ICANN and HandshakeNamebase and Handshake improve on DNS and certificate authoritiesNamebase's business model and roadmapEpisode links: NamebaseHandshakeNamebase on TwitterTieshun on TwitterThis episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Sunny Aggarwal. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/380

Stacks is an open-source network of decentralized apps and smart contracts. It is a Layer-1 blockchain that connects to Bitcoin. Stacks uses a Proof of Transfer mining mechanism with bidding and staking capabilities. Clarity is the programming language used, a Turing-incomplete language which aims to give developers a safe way to build complex smart contracts where the code itself clearly shows what the program will do when run. Muneeb Ali is the CEO and Co-founder of Hiro Systems, one of the companies creating Stacks. He joined us to chat about why he felt there was a need for Stacks, why he chose to build on top of Bitcoin, and the types of apps that are currently being run on Stacks 2.0.Topics covered in this episode:Muneeb's background and how he got into cryptoWhy Stacks was createdHow this works being built on BitcoinMining and bidding on blocksSmart contracting on Stacks - Clarity programming languageStacks vs “Bitcoin on Ethereum”Stacks vs RootstackThe apps that currently run on Stacks 2.0Episode links: Stacks websiteStacks whitepaperStackingProof of TransferHiroStacks on TwitterMuneeb on TwitterSponsors: 1inch: Discover the best rates and most efficient swapping routes across leading DEXes. Optimize on gas cost and execute DeFi trades faster with 1inch V2 - https://epicenter.rocks/1inchThis episode is hosted by Sunny Aggarwal & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/379

Radicle is a decentralized platform for code collaboration. It's built on Git and is an open-source decentralized alternative to platforms like GitHub. Tools like Radicle are an essential component of the decentralized technology stack and will enable DAOs to commit code through governance. Co-founders Alexis Sellier & Eleftherios Diakomichalis joined us to chat about why they felt it was important to create Radicle and how it fits into the DAO ecosystem with a more accessible governance system of code.Topics covered in this episode:- What Radicle is and the vision they are pursuing- After both working on Soundcloud, the lessons that were carried over to this project- The Cathedral vs Bazaar model- Git usage with the tool- The technical architecture of Radicle- The other differences between Radicle and GitHub- Storage and replicating solutions between peers- How Radicle promotes open source sustainability- Ethereum integration with the toolEpisode links: - [Radicle website](https://radicle.xyz/)- [Radicle docs](https://docs.radicle.xyz/docs/what-is-radicle.html)- [Radicle on Twitter](https://twitter.com/radicle)- [Alexis on Twitter](https://twitter.com/cloudhead)- [Eleftherios on Twitter](https://twitter.com/lftherios)Sponsors: - 1inch: Discover the best rates and most efficient swapping routes across leading DEXes. Optimize on gas cost and execute DeFi trades faster with 1inch V2 - https://epicenter.rocks/1inchThis episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain & Sunny Aggarwal. Show notes and listening options: [epicenter.tv/378](https://epicenter.tv/378)

Ethereum Push Notification Service (EPNS) emerged from the Indian startup scene in 2020. It's a decentralized notification protocol that enables DApps to send push notifications to Ethereum wallet users. EPNS also provides incentives to users that opt-in for push notifications, creating the possibility for an ecosystem communities around topic-centric channels.We are joined by Harsh Rajat, Project Lead and Co-founder of EPNS. We chatted about why and how the protocol was built, its technical structure, the purpose of incentivizing users to receive notifications, and how they tackle spam.Topics covered in this episode:Harsh's background and how he got involved in cryptoThe beginning of Ethereum Push Notification ServiceThe design patterns considered when building EPNSWhat is a decentralized push notification service?Unique use cases that could benefit from DeFi push notificationsThe structure of the protocol and how it actually worksThe purpose of incentivizing users to receive notificationsThe Spam Score - how EPNS filter spamHow EPNS plan to onboard and incentivize wallets to integrateEpisode links: EPNS websiteEPNS appWhitepaperEPNS on TwitterHarsh on TwitterSponsors: 1inch: Discover the best rates and most efficient swapping routes across leading DEXes. Optimize on gas cost and execute DeFi trades faster with 1inch V2 - https://epicenter.rocks/1inchThis episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Sunny Aggarwal. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/377

Aaron Wright is a professor at Cardozo Law School and Co-founder of OpenLaw. Before this he was a successful entrepreneur, having sold his first company to Wikia - the for-profit version of Wikipedia. Today Aaron is a renowned thought-leader in the blockchain space at the forefront of DAOs. Last year OpenLaw launched The LAO, a DAO on Ethereum for investors looking to earn returns on Ethereum-based projects.Aaron joins us to share his expert legal knowledge on all things DAO, and discuss his latest projects the LAO and Flamingo DAO.Topics covered in this episode:Aaron's background and how he got into blockchain and the DAO spaceThe early vision for DAOsStakeholder participation in DAOsWrapped and unwrapped DAOsProxy voting on DAOsGovernance mechanismsThe multi-token modelHow DAOs are characterized under law and the legislation surrounding themThe Wyoming Blockchain BillThe different categories of DAOsWhere does Aaron see the DAO ecosystem headed in the futureEpisode links: OpenLaw websiteThe LAOMike Hearn: Autonomous agents, self driving cars and BitcoinAaron's book - Blockchain and the Law: The Rule of CodeOpenLaw on TwitterThe LAO on TwitterAaron on TwitterSponsors: 1inch: Discover the best rates and most efficient swapping routes across leading DEXes. Optimize on gas cost and execute DeFi trades faster with 1inch V2 - https://epicenter.rocks/1inchThis episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/376

During the DeFi Summer of 2020, YAM Finance launched with a bang, and had its share of ups and downs within its first couple of days. It started out as an experiment to bring together some of the more innovative ideas in the space. It sparked a movement which brought massive attention to yield farming, and started the food token craze. After a bug was discovered in the v1 contract, many thought the project was dead. But no, the team and community have been working diligently to bring the protocol back to life and it's now a community-run DAO innovating at the intersection of decentralized governance and programmable finance.Trent Elmore is one of the creators of YAM. He joins us to talk about the incredibly swift birth of the project, the rebase mechanism, the treasury, the infamous bug and how they saved the project. He also shares some of the new upcoming products on the YAM Roadmap, and how a truly decentralized community is rebuilding its brand.Topics covered in this episode:Trent's background and how he got into crypto and DeFiHow YAM and food tokens were bornThe team behind YAMWhat was the vision of the project at the beginning?The proposed utility of the protocolHow the treasury funding works in the context of the rebasing mechanismThe Game Theory for YAM holdersHow they built their communities and choose tokensYAM's connection between their governance and SnapshotThe infamous bug in V1 and how they recovered from itWhat plans do they have for the treasury and products going forward, including the recent UMA collaborationEpisode links:YAM on TwitterYAM FinanceDiscordYAM on MediumTrent on TwitterSponsors:1inch: Discover the best rates and most efficient swapping routes across leading DEXes. Optimize on gas cost and execute DeFi trades faster with 1inch V2 - https://epicenter.rocks/1inchThis episode is hosted by Sunny Aggarwal & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/375

The new year has brought with it a new bull run. This is great news for crypto holders, but at what cost? Will this bring with it a number of negative implications such as regulatory push back and privacy battles? Listen as the five hosts of Epicenter come together for an in-depth chat to share their predictions for the crypto space in 2021.Topics covered in this episode:Each of our hosts share how 2020 went for themIn-depth individual predictions on where things are headed with the current bull marketPublic backlash to the crypto systemRegulatory and tax related implications to cryptoThe battleground of privacyUS regulatory pressure and the effect on the US DollarEpisode links: Omen Prediction Market - Will The Flippening happen in 2021?Brian on TwitterFriederike on TwitterMeher on TwitterSebastien on TwitterSunny on TwitterSponsors: 1inch: Discover the best rates and most efficient swapping routes across leading DEXes. Optimize on gas cost and execute DeFi trades faster with 1inch V2 - https://epicenter.rocks/1inchThis episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture, Brian Fabian Crain, Meher Roy, Sunny Aggarwal & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/374

Eric Wall is the Chief Investment Officer at Arcane Assets, but you may already know him from his writing and his presence on Twitter where he offers valuable insights on crypto markets. He joined us on the show to share with us his deep and timely insights into the current bull run and how this compared to 2017, where it is headed from here, and also he opens up on his normally guarded thoughts on the future of Bitcoin and Ethereum.Topics covered in this episode:Eric's background and how he got into cryptoEric's experience working with Cinnober and NasdaqUsing blockchain as an underlying substrate in the traditional finance ecosystemAn overview of Arcane AssetsEric's thesis behind BitcoinThe current Bitcoin bull runHow Arcane deals with transaction fee problems and solutions that may address these over the coming yearsUsing the value proposition of Ether when Bitcoin is store valueEric opens up on how he thinks Ethereum will become adopted in mainstream financeWhy does the Bitcoin community reject tokens?What is different in the current bull market compared to 2017Eric's predictions on how this bull market will play outEpisode links:Arcane AssetsArcane CryptoNine Bitcoin Charts Already at All-Time HighsCrypto Market Structure 3.0Arcane on TwitterEric on TwitterSponsors:1inch: Discover the best rates and most efficient swapping routes across leading DEXes. Optimize on gas cost and execute DeFi trades faster with 1inch V2 - https://epicenter.rocks/1inchShow notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/373

In this digital age, counting ballots by hand, as recently seen in the US Presidential Election, is very analogue and behind the times. Although the US constitution is over two centuries old and hasn't had a major version update since 1992, European democracies are much more recent and utilizing the technology available today. This panel discussion looks at how open technologies and new systems of governance could be a path toward a future of democracy. We also hear about the avenues for improvement with modern voting techniques and liquid democracy.Topics covered in this episode:Introductions to all panel membersThe state of democratic processes in G20 countries today and which are at the forefront of innovationWhat are the incentives for different stakeholders in liquid democracyHow can digital voting systems be trusted?Implementing and reviewing new democratic systemsThe journey forward for digital democracyEpisode links: An information-theoretic model of voting systemsHacking Democracy with Fabric VenturesJon Nash on TwitterSantiago Siri on TwitterProfessor Amrita DhillonDr Grammateia KotsialouFabric VenturesCogXShow notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/372